Cancer and your heart: What to know if you take statins or have congestive heart failure
Cancer and your heart: What to know if you take statins or have congestive heart failure
Cancer treatment can be hard on your whole body—including your heart. If you already have congestive heart failure (CHF) or take a statin to protect your heart, you may be wondering what happens next.
Can I keep taking my statin? Will my heart get weaker during treatment? How can I stay safe?
The good news: You don’t have to figure it out alone. With a few smart steps and the help of your care team, you can take care of your heart and treat your cancer at the same time.
If you’re on a statin
Statins are medicines that lower cholesterol and protect your heart. They help people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or past heart problems. If you’re on one, it’s likely because your heart is already at higher risk.
Don’t stop taking your statin unless your doctor tells you to.
Stopping it suddenly can raise your chances of a heart attack or stroke.
If you have CHF (heart failure)
Cancer treatments like some types of chemotherapy and radiation can put extra stress on your heart. This is especially important if you already have CHF. Some treatments can make symptoms worse, such as:
- More shortness of breath
- Swelling in your legs or belly
- Feeling more tired than usual
Tell your cancer doctor and heart doctor if you’ve been diagnosed with CHF. They can work together to protect your heart while you go through treatment.
Questions to ask your care team
Before or during treatment, bring a list of your medications and ask:
- Should I keep taking my statin during cancer treatment?
- Will chemo or radiation affect my heart or change how my statin works?
- Are there side effects I should look out for?
- Do I need extra tests to check my heart, liver, or cholesterol?
Your care team may adjust your medications, order heart checkups, or help with fluid balance if you have CHF.
What new research is showing
Recent studies suggest that statins might not just protect your heart—they may also help fight cancer:
- In one lab study, statins caused cancer cells to stop growing and die.
👉 See the research from Johns Hopkins › - Another study found that people with blood cancer who were on statins had a 61% lower risk of dying from cancer.
👉 Read the study from the American Society of Hematology › - Statins may also improve survival for some breast cancer patients.
👉 See the study in JECCR ›
This doesn’t mean statins treat cancer—but it does show they may be safe and possibly helpful to continue during treatment.
Don’t go it alone
If you’re feeling unsure, that’s okay. You’re juggling a lot—and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Just remember:
- Don’t stop your statin without a plan.
- Tell your doctors if you have CHF or heart symptoms.
- Ask how to keep your heart safe during cancer treatment.
You deserve full support
You don’t have to choose between your heart and your cancer care. With the right plan, you can manage both—and feel stronger through it all.
More helpful info
🩺 Johns Hopkins – Statins and cancer cells
🧬 ASH – Statins and blood cancer survival
🎀 JECCR – Statins and breast cancer outcomes
Cancer and your heart: What to know if you take statins or have congestive heart failure
Cancer treatment can be hard on your whole body—including your heart. If you already have congestive heart failure (CHF) or take a statin to protect your heart, you may be wondering what happens next.
Can I keep taking my statin? Will my heart get weaker during treatment? How can I stay safe?
The good news: You don’t have to figure it out alone. With a few smart steps and the help of your care team, you can take care of your heart and treat your cancer at the same time.
If you’re on a statin
Statins are medicines that lower cholesterol and protect your heart. They help people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or past heart problems. If you’re on one, it’s likely because your heart is already at higher risk.
Don’t stop taking your statin unless your doctor tells you to.
Stopping it suddenly can raise your chances of a heart attack or stroke.
If you have CHF (heart failure)
Cancer treatments like some types of chemotherapy and radiation can put extra stress on your heart. This is especially important if you already have CHF. Some treatments can make symptoms worse, such as:
- More shortness of breath
- Swelling in your legs or belly
- Feeling more tired than usual
Tell your cancer doctor and heart doctor if you’ve been diagnosed with CHF. They can work together to protect your heart while you go through treatment.
Questions to ask your care team
Before or during treatment, bring a list of your medications and ask:
- Should I keep taking my statin during cancer treatment?
- Will chemo or radiation affect my heart or change how my statin works?
- Are there side effects I should look out for?
- Do I need extra tests to check my heart, liver, or cholesterol?
Your care team may adjust your medications, order heart checkups, or help with fluid balance if you have CHF.
What new research is showing
Recent studies suggest that statins might not just protect your heart—they may also help fight cancer:
- In one lab study, statins caused cancer cells to stop growing and die.
👉 See the research from Johns Hopkins › - Another study found that people with blood cancer who were on statins had a 61% lower risk of dying from cancer.
👉 Read the study from the American Society of Hematology › - Statins may also improve survival for some breast cancer patients.
👉 See the study in JECCR ›
This doesn’t mean statins treat cancer—but it does show they may be safe and possibly helpful to continue during treatment.
Don’t go it alone
If you’re feeling unsure, that’s okay. You’re juggling a lot—and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Just remember:
- Don’t stop your statin without a plan.
- Tell your doctors if you have CHF or heart symptoms.
- Ask how to keep your heart safe during cancer treatment.
You deserve full support
You don’t have to choose between your heart and your cancer care. With the right plan, you can manage both—and feel stronger through it all.
More helpful info
🩺 Johns Hopkins – Statins and cancer cells
🧬 ASH – Statins and blood cancer survival
🎀 JECCR – Statins and breast cancer outcomes
Cancer treatment can be hard on your whole body—including your heart. If you already have congestive heart failure (CHF) or take a statin to protect your heart, you may be wondering what happens next.
Can I keep taking my statin? Will my heart get weaker during treatment? How can I stay safe?
The good news: You don’t have to figure it out alone. With a few smart steps and the help of your care team, you can take care of your heart and treat your cancer at the same time.
If you’re on a statin
Statins are medicines that lower cholesterol and protect your heart. They help people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or past heart problems. If you’re on one, it’s likely because your heart is already at higher risk.
Don’t stop taking your statin unless your doctor tells you to.
Stopping it suddenly can raise your chances of a heart attack or stroke.
If you have CHF (heart failure)
Cancer treatments like some types of chemotherapy and radiation can put extra stress on your heart. This is especially important if you already have CHF. Some treatments can make symptoms worse, such as:
- More shortness of breath
- Swelling in your legs or belly
- Feeling more tired than usual
Tell your cancer doctor and heart doctor if you’ve been diagnosed with CHF. They can work together to protect your heart while you go through treatment.
Questions to ask your care team
Before or during treatment, bring a list of your medications and ask:
- Should I keep taking my statin during cancer treatment?
- Will chemo or radiation affect my heart or change how my statin works?
- Are there side effects I should look out for?
- Do I need extra tests to check my heart, liver, or cholesterol?
Your care team may adjust your medications, order heart checkups, or help with fluid balance if you have CHF.
What new research is showing
Recent studies suggest that statins might not just protect your heart—they may also help fight cancer:
- In one lab study, statins caused cancer cells to stop growing and die.
👉 See the research from Johns Hopkins › - Another study found that people with blood cancer who were on statins had a 61% lower risk of dying from cancer.
👉 Read the study from the American Society of Hematology › - Statins may also improve survival for some breast cancer patients.
👉 See the study in JECCR ›
This doesn’t mean statins treat cancer—but it does show they may be safe and possibly helpful to continue during treatment.
Don’t go it alone
If you’re feeling unsure, that’s okay. You’re juggling a lot—and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Just remember:
- Don’t stop your statin without a plan.
- Tell your doctors if you have CHF or heart symptoms.
- Ask how to keep your heart safe during cancer treatment.
You deserve full support
You don’t have to choose between your heart and your cancer care. With the right plan, you can manage both—and feel stronger through it all.
More helpful info
🩺 Johns Hopkins – Statins and cancer cells
🧬 ASH – Statins and blood cancer survival
🎀 JECCR – Statins and breast cancer outcomes
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